Snow scarce on Machhapuchhre

January 12, 2010
Mt. Machhapuchhre that graces the tourist town of Pokhara used to be smothered in snow this time of the year, but this year turned out different.

With no snowfall so far, most part of the mountain is dull, rugged and grey. Locals say the peak’s splendid glory was then when it used to be covered under a blanket of snow, now it looks botched. Like Pokhara locals, tourists are disappointed as well.

“Seeing no snow in the mountain, it feels like Pokhara has lost its charm,” said Jaya Sharma, a visitor from Kathmandu.

Geologist Krishna KC said mountains have very little snow this year, and in case of Machhapuchhre, it got betrayed due to its steepness, which gives very little room for snow to hold on.

He added that the snowless mountain is symptomatic of climate change and global warming.

“The Hilly region is experiencing a yearly rise in temperature by 0.4 degree Celsius. Temperature is on upward trajectory, so there is less snow in the mountains,” he said.

Experts claimed the mountains started stripping off noticeably since last year, this time the situation got more palpable. “It is all rocks now,” meteorologist Bikram Shrestha said.

“It takes rain to snow, but we are receiving less rainfall for the last few years, which means that we’re receiving little snow.”

He added water in rivers and other water sources would start getting low if there is no snowfall.

Source: Kantipur